Plans for new homes for the elderly have been approved

Rochelle Barrand

More than 70 apartments are to be built for older people in Doncaster after plans were given the green light.

The development, which will be built next to Peel Hill Motte on Church Street, Thorne, will provide housing, support and care for people aged 55 and over, living in Thorne, Moorends and the wider area.

It is expected that work on the £9.4 million scheme will begin in October.

The aim is that the 72 apartments will be completed by March 2018.

Under the plans, there will be three one-bedroom and 69 two-bedroom apartments. Thirty-six will be sold on a shared-ownership basis and 36 will be for rent.

All will have level-access showers, kitchens and bathrooms.

There will also be communal facilities including a bistro-style restaurant, a multi-purpose activity room, residents’ lounge and a hair salon.

The council hopes the development will regenerate the derelict site, which attracts anti-social behaviour.

At a meeting, planning officer Nicola Elliott told councillors that the land was used as an ‘informal car park’, but said there were other spaces nearby that people could use.

She added: “A car park will be built that will provide 32 spaces for residents, staff and visitors. Staff will provide 24-hour care to residents if that is required.”

“It will hopefully help to breathe life into a town centre which has been neglected for many years,” she said.

Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones said: “This extra care facility will help to improve the local area, bringing a high-quality housing development into the centre of Thorne and turning a derelict piece of land into a valuable community asset.”

Planning permission was granted subject to several conditions.

Work must be started within three years under the Town and Country Planning Act.